For much over six decades, the Toyota Land Cruiser is synonymous with solid dependability and allconquering, allterrain art. Early versions in the 1950s, called the BJ-kind Land Cruisers, were comparable in look to U.S. Military Jeeps. They were driven with a little fourcylinder engine and were purely functional. Somewhat less spartan were the sixcylinder-powered FJ20s.

Since that time, the Toyota Land Cruiser has exploded in size as well as be more focused on extensive customer appeal. Toyota has increasingly added luxurious characteristics and upscale accommodations for the Land Cruiser, enabling the less expensive FJ Cruiser to take the baton for that traditional Cruiser designs. Therefore, the Land Cruiser is a pretty pricey SUV, new or second-hand. But just about whatever current version you have a look at, you'll discover the Land Cruiser happily keeps its core offroad concepts and unassailable reputation for reliability.

Present Toyota Land Cruiser
Motivation is supplied with a 5.7liter V8 that churns out 381 hp and 401 poundfeet of torque. A sixspeed automatic sends power to all wheels through the Land Cruiser's fulltime 4WD system with selectable lowrange gearing.

Offroad abilities are bolstered by an extended listing of particular gear. "Creep Control" improves the drivetrain's capacity by keeping a fixed ultraslow pace for hardcore trailbusting. The sole sour note here is the fact that strategy, departure and ground clearance and breakover angles are reduced marginally from the past Land Cruiser.

You had never figure the Land Cruiser had such brilliant offroad capabilities from inside the cottage. Even a back-seat DVD entertainment setup, centre-console cooler box and Toyota's Entune smart-phone integration system are contained.

In our reviews, we have expressed admiration for your Land Cruiser's onroad performance and composure, along with its sumptuous accommodations. Purchasers should be aware the seats are really only appropriate for children, however. The rare persons who'll investigate the Land Cruiser's complete offroad potential could also end up operating from ground clearance on more demanding expeditions.

More luxurious features, more power and much more room were all welcome for the brand new version. Adjustments on the way included the improvement of Toyota's Safety Link complex telematics system and increased sound connectivity this year. Remember that Toyota didn't promote a 2012 Land Cruiser, heading direct towards the 2013 model-year, which caused the present model's somewhat updated styling and allinclusive attributes checklist.

The fourthgeneration Toyota Land Cruiser was created from 1998 2007. Although underpowered compared with the present version, the Cruiser remains a used car for a shopper considering a reliable and lavish mid-size or fullsize SUV. With chairs for eight travellers and a conventional ladder frame construction, this Land Cruiser was really an excellent option for offroad enthusiasts with growing families. Though upscale alternatives for example back - seat DVD entertainment plus a navigation system were available, it arrived in only one wellequipped trim level.

A fivespeed automatic transmission was conventional, as was 4WD with lowrange gearing for increased offroad performance. As an alternative, an adjustable suspension system was offered by Toyota.

It gained high marks in evaluations and was a continued Edmunds.com Editors' Most WantedSM award winner. Mentioned favorable characteristics contained its goanywhere ability, comfortable ride quality, easy if not scintillating lavish interior and V8. As any major changes haven't been made by Toyota, those in the market for a used Toyota Land Cruiser of the era should feel fairly free to check out all its years. Usually, the newer the Land Cruiser really is, the more functions it has. As mentioned, one disadvantage to versions before 2006 is the fact that their V8s produced 40 less hp.

Used Land Cruisers in the '90s also supply an impressive blend of capacities at less expensive costs. Most customers shopping for a secondhand fourdoor Land Cruiser will have an interest in the thirdgeneration version which was available for the 1990-'97 design years. Although this SUV wasn't as big, luxurious or strong as the present version, it nevertheless represents a high pick for a shopper considering a secondhand SUV that is comfortable and offroad worthy. Under its hood was a 155hp, 4.0liter inline sixcylinder engine. It had 4WD however the motorist had to manually engage the front hubs to activate it. The next year, Toyota replaced that arrangement with a fulltime 4WD system. A larger 212-hp engine was included by other major upgrades for this model in 1993 and increased security gear in 1995.

In Edmunds.com reviews of the thirdgeneration Toyota Land Cruiser, praise was provided for the notable offroad ability, powerful engine and lasting nature. Although resale values stay impressively high, depreciation, obviously, has mitigated this latter problem.